Kids' aggressive behavior tied to secondhand smoke

Now research has linked exposing kids to secondhand smoke – either during pregnancy or throughout childhood – to a higher likelihood of the child exhibiting physically aggressive and antisocial behavior. And, according to the new University of Montreal study, it doesn’t matter if the parents also behave antisocially or not.

Creating a study to evaluate childhood secondhand smoke exposure proved difficult, as it is unethical to expose children to smoky environments given the known health problems associated with them. Instead, the researchers relied on Quebec public health data of 2,055 children tracked from birth to age 10, which included information on how the children were raised, health status and household smoke exposure. Due to the complexity of the study, the researchers worked to distinguish the contribution of secondhand smoke on a child’s later problematic behavior. Those having been exposed to secondhand smoke, even temporarily, were much more likely to report themselves as being more aggressive by time they finished fourth grade.

Secondhand smoke exposure during pregnancy can also lead to low birth weight, slowed fetal brain growth and other problems in the development of the central nervous system of a baby.

10 percent of teens use 'study drugs'

Many American teens believe that “study drugs” – ADHD medications such as Adderall and Ritalin – can give them an academic advantage and improve test scores. In fact, a University of Michigan study found that an estimated 10 percent of high school students are engaging in this type of drug use without a prescription, and that many parents are unaware of it. While one in 10 students is using these types of drugs for study purposes, parents think that the figure is much lower – more like one student in 100.

Stimulants are often prescribed to children with ADHD to improve cognitive performance and allow the student to concentrate better. However, these drugs can be harmful to students who do not need them, as they can have serious side effects, including heart problems and even psychosis, not to mention potential withdrawal symptoms. Emergency room visits involving ADHD medications increased by more than 100 percent between 2005 and 2010.

While 54 percent of the parents in the study said they were “very concerned” about this type of drug use in schools, only 27 percent of them said they have talked to their children about prescription drug abuse.

Only 25 percent of sunscreens offer strong protection

How many products—sunscreens, lip balms, makeup products—have you bought because you thought they could protect you from the sun? Turns out that the majority of them don’t live up to their promises, according to a study by the Environmental Working Group (EWG.) It analyzed more than 1,400 products and found that only about 25 percent of them were as effective in protecting people from sun exposure as they claimed to be.

The biggest risk of exposure to the sun is skin cancer, including the most deadly form: melanoma. Melanoma rates have tripled in the past 35 years, with an annual increase of nearly two percent. The researchers concluded that false advertising claims may partially be to blame for this rise because people often misuse sunscreens and stay in the sun longer than they should because of deceptive marketing claims.

The EWG says the Food and Drug Administration should urge companies to take high-SPF sunscreens (above 50+) off the market because people assume that using these products allows them to stay out in the sun for long stretches of time, but they don’t provide that level of protection. The report also advises consumers to avoid products containing vitamin A, products with oxybenzone and spray sunscreens because they generally provide inconsistent coverage of the skin.